Short summary of the events:
On November 30th, 2010, two snorkelers were attacked by a shark off a beach just north of Naama Bay, both suffering serious injuries. Photographs taken minutes before the 2nd attack show a fully grown oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus longimanus), that closely circled divers before approaching and eventually attacking a swimmer on the surface.
On December 1st, 2010, a third swimmer was attacked just a few kilometres north of the previous incidents; no photographic material is available from this event.
Reports of a fourth attack were later corrected, stating that the injuries to the hands of the swimmer involved were sustained by contact with corals rather than from the bites of a shark.

As a first response, the Ministry of Tourism suspended all water activities for the Sharm El Sheikh area, with the exception of Ras Mohamed National Park, until the evening of December 3rd, 2010.
Additionally, National Park Authorities attempted to capture the shark(s) believed to be involved in the attacks. As a result, two individual sharks were caught on December 2nd, one mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) and one oceanic whitetip shark.

Comparing the photographs of the oceanic whitetip shark responsible for the 2nd attack with the images of the captured oceanic whitetip shark, it is clear that they don't show the same individual.

Hesham Gabr, the chairman of the CDWS (Chamber of Diving and Watersports), has condemned the random catching of sharks in the area. In agreement with HEPCA, both organisations would have preferred a more graded response to the unfortunate events. No attacks on divers have been reported from any of the dive sites in the Egyptian Red Sea, making the closure of all diving activities an unnecessary and extreme measure. While we fully appreciate the difficult and sensitive situation after such an unusual string of attacks for the tourism sector, the random catching and killing of large oceanic sharks in the area does not help to mitigate the problem; additionally it sends the wrong message that people entering the water are generally in danger of being attacked by sharks.
Such attacks are extremely rare and in the past have often been connected to illegal fishing and feeding activities.
We therefore welcome the efforts of the CDWS today, sending out volunteering dive professionals and registered CDWS members to monitor and observe the Sharm El Sheikh dive sites for any shark activity. These divers were encouraged to document any shark sightings by taking underwater images, so that we will be able to verify and potentially identify any oceanic whitetip sharks still present in the area.

According to an ongoing study of oceanic whitetip sharks in the Egyptian Red Sea, only 11 individuals resembling the size and proportion of the shark responsible for the 2nd attack have been documented throughout the last 6 years. All these sightings were from remote areas such as Daedalus, Brother Islands or the St. Johns plateau. 10 of these sharks were photographed by divers only on one occasion, and – to our knowledge – did not approach any humans or human activity afterwards.
These observations support the idea, that the string of attacks is the result of a single individual behaving in a highly atypical way.

Both HEPCA and CDWS call for calm in this unprecented and difficult situation, and appeal to tourists and professionals to follow well-known behavioural guidelines recommended in areas where sharks might be present.
· Do not fish, feed or bait any marine animal. Do not enter the water if any of these activities occur in the vicinity.
· Stay calm! Avoid any quick, jerky or erratic movements.
· If you want or need to leave the water for any reason, do so in a calm and orderly fashion.
For more detailed guidelines on diving with sharks in the Egyptian Red Sea, feel free to contact sharks@hepca.com.

According to latest information, all restrictions on diving and other water activities in the Sharm El Sheikh area have been lifted, and operations will be back to normal tomorrow morning (saturday, December 4th).

As of 15 minutes ago all divers and boats have been recalled following a further shark incident at Middle Garden. Divers were recalled to the boats and snorkler's were seen to be taken down the Hyatt Jetty on stretchers. No further information is available at the moment but it has been suggested that 2 sharks were involved......

As of 15 minutes ago all divers and boats have been recalled following a further shark incident at Middle Garden. Divers were recalled to the boats and snorkler's were seen to be taken down the Hyatt Jetty on stretchers. No further information is available at the moment but it has been suggested that 2 sharks were involved......

URGENT: All diving and watersports suspended tomorrow while exploratory dives are
conducted

All diving, swimming and watersports activities will once again be suspended tomorrow
(6 December) in Sharm el Sheikh. CDWS has been informed this suspension covers all
areas of the Sharm el Sheikh coast, including Ras Mohammed National Marine Park.

Other Sinai resorts remain open to all activities, such as Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba.

CDWS is asking for dive centre and liveaboard members in Sharm el Sheikh to volunteer
divers, photographers, videographers and boats to take part in exploratory dives
of the area tomorrow (6 December). All volunteers must be CDWS card holders.

All diving, swimming and watersports activities will once again be suspended tomorrow(6 December) in Sharm el Sheikh. CDWS has been informed this suspension covers allareas of the Sharm el Sheikh coast, including Ras Mohammed National Marine Park.

Other Sinai resorts remain open to all activities, such as Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba.

CDWS is asking for dive centre and liveaboard members in Sharm el Sheikh to volunteerdivers, photographers, videographers and boats to take part in exploratory dives of the area tomorrow (6 December). All volunteers must be CDWS card holders.

Yikes now a death? So sad to hear that. I do hope it doesn't turn into a "summer of sharks" sensationalistic BS like in FL. Again conflicting reports about the Mako being responsible for one bite while the oceanic was photographed and shot on video just before attacked the snorkelers.

Yikes now a death? So sad to hear that. I do hope it doesn't turn into a "summer of sharks" sensationalistic BS like in FL. Again conflicting reports about the Mako being responsible for one bite while the oceanic was photographed and shot on video just before attacked the snorkelers.

Apparently some ship dumped sheep carcasses into the water nearby is another theory.

There are a number of theories being floated. The usual aggregation of emperors at Jackfish Alley lasted all of 2 days before they were fished out, same with the snapper at Shark Reef. There were sheep and cow carcasses dumped in the sea following Eid a while back and reports of a jordanian cargo ship dumping sheep carcasses near tiran.

Something has upset them, they are being frisky around divers but taking a big dislike to snorklers....roumers are flying everywhere at the moment. The CDWS is trying hard to stem the killing of sharks that the government is demanding hence why we are out supporting them tomorrow.....

Firstly, this behaviour by Oceanic Whitetips is absolutely atypical insofar as the 'where' and 'what'. Presently, the missing piece of the puzzle seems to be the 'why'.

Secondly, the knee jerk cull of the two OWT and Mako which followed the first incedents must not be allowed to continue.

Thirdly and on a personal basis, if further a cull is insigated official or otherwise, my son (CJ) or I will will be forced reconsider if we are ever dive in or give patronage to the Egyptian Rea Sea again. Since CJ started his diving at the age of seven (he is now thirteen) we have accumulated over 40 weeks diving in the Egyptian Red Sea. If a cull were to occur I would take the view that the diving would be the lesser and the Egyptian Authorities are not committed to marine conservation. In which case, we would have to reconsider our support to the diving infrastructure in the Egyptian Red Sea.

Lastly, I would urge you all to make these points to both CDWS, HEPCA and your favourite Egyptian Red Sea tour operators who in turn will be bound to represent these views to the authorities.

Please do not wait until a cull ocurs before wishing you had done something.

Firstly, this behaviour by Oceanic Whitetips is absolutely atypical insofar as the 'where' and 'what'. Presently, the missing piece of the puzzle seems to be the 'why'.

Secondly, the knee jerk cull of the two OWT and Mako which followed the first incedents must not be allowed to continue.

Thirdly and on a personal basis, if further a cull is insigated official or otherwise, my son (CJ) or I will will be forced reconsider if we are ever dive in or give patronage to the Egyptian Rea Sea again. Since CJ started his diving at the age of seven (he is now thirteen) we have accumulated over 40 weeks diving in the Egyptian Red Sea. If a cull were to occur I would take the view that the diving would be the lesser and the Egyptian Authorities are not committed to marine conservation. In which case, we would have to reconsider our support to the diving infrastructure in the Egyptian Red Sea.

Lastly, I would urge you all to make these points to both CDWS, HEPCA and your favourite Egyptian Red Sea tour operators who in turn will be bound to represent these views to the authorities.

Please do not wait until a cull ocurs before wishing you had done something.

If I remember correctly Jackfish Alley is in the national park area? Has illegal fishing been that prevalent?

Also, I'd like to know if there's been any fish feeding in the shore area, which happens all the time at popular dive sites all over the world.

Yes, jackfish alley and Shark reef are both in the National Park and yes to illegal fishing in the park. As soon as night falls the boats are out.

Yes there is fish feeding, glass bottom boats are main offenders with reports of certain other boats illegally throwing in food to attract things. Also reports of 'fish bags' being distributed at hotels.